INTEGRALLY MOULDED DOUBLE CORNER PROTECTOR

Abstract: An integrally moulded embracement element is described for protecting the marginal region of an article consisting of four marginal surfaces (A, B, C, D), two of which (A, B) meet at an angle forming a first edge (E), and of which two others (C, D) at each end of said edge (E) extends across the angular interspace formed by the first-mentioned two marginal surfaces (A, B) and cooperating with the latter to form other edges (F, G, H, J). The embracement element comprises four co-integrally moulded sidewall parts (10, 12, 14, 16) each intended to lie in abutment against one of said marginal surfaces (A, B, C, D) of the article and the edges (E, F, G, H, J) formed by these marginal surfaces. The sidewall parts (10, 12) intended to lie in abutment against the first-mentioned two marginal surfaces (A, B) comprise rib-like projections (18) protruding inwardly in the embracement element and in contiguity with corresponding intermediate recesses (20) opening inwardly in the embracement element, said recesses (20) together with the projections (18) extending transversely of their mutually coincident edges (22). The other sidewall parts (14, 16) are shaped with a view to be able to lie in abutment against said two other marginal surfaces (C, D) of the article.

Description: INTEGRALLY MOULDED DOUBLE CORNER PROTECTOR TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an integrally moulded embracement element for protecting the marginal region of an article, said element being of the kind set forth in the preamble of Claim 1. BACKGROUND ART For protecting edges and corners of articles, espcially heavy articles like e.g. electronic apparatus, against damage caused by transportation, it is known to embrace the edge and corner regions of the articles with embracement elements consisting of such a material and/or having such a shape, that impact caused by pressure or shock is absorbed. For this purpose it is known to place an embracement element by sliding it onto an edge region comprising a corner, and subsequently to surround the article with an envelope, e.g. a cardboard box, the latter keeping the embracement elements in place about the article. In practice it has, however, proved difficult to keep the embracement elements in place on their respective corners before commencing the process of enveloping the article. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION It is the object of the present invention to provide an integrally moulded embracement element of the kind referred to initially, with which it is possible to avoid the difficulty referred to above, and this object is achieved by means of the features set forth in the characterizing clause of Claim 1. With this arrangement, it is possible to place the embracement element on an edge region comprising two of the corners of the article, about which corners the embracement element, by exploiting the inclination of said end surfaces, may be clamped against side surfaces bordering the corners of the article, when the latter is pushed inwardly between these side surfaces. The projections mentioned will cooperate with the intermediate recesses to form an accordion structure, which in the process of insertion of the article and while exploiting the mutually converging inclination of the side surfaces is expanded tranversely to the direction of insertion, so that the embracement element will be secured to the article by embracing two of its corners, and secured to the associated marginal surfaces by a press fit. When all the requisite embracement elements have been placed in position, it is possible to place the wrapping or envelope about the article without any need of having to hold the embracement elements in place, e.g. manually. With the embodiment set forth in Claim 2, the press- -fit force is increased, as the ribs referred to cause an increase in the transfer of the accordion pulling forces directly to said side walls. With the embodiment set forth in Claim 3, the continuous ridge referred to provides a particularly strong protection of the corresponding edges of the article being embraced by the embracement element. With the embodiment set forth in Claim 4, an excellent shock absortion is provided, when the embracement element is subjected to laterally directed impact. The embodiment set forth in Claim 5 provides a particularly strong construction of the sidewall parts referred to. The embodiment set forth in Claim 6 provides for additional possibilities for an advantageous distribution of pressure and impact over the sidewall parts of the embracement element. The present invention also relates to a method of manufacturing an integrally moulded embracement element of the kind set forth in any one or any of the Claims 1- 6, and this method is characterized by the features set forth in the characterizing clause of Claim 7. By carrying out the method in this manner, it is possible to provide the inclination of the aforementioned end surfaces necessary for a press fit without the need for taking special steps when designing the suction mould. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the following detailed portion of the present description, the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the exemplary embodiment of an embracement element according to the invention shown in the drawings, in which Figure 1 diagrammatic and in perspective shows an embracement placed on the corner region consisting of two corners of a diagrammatically shown article, e.g. an electronic apparatus, Figure 2 shows the embracement element of Figure 1 on a larger scale and as viewed from the inside, Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view through the embracement element along the line III-III in Figure 2, showing the initial phace of the process of placing the embracement element on a corner region of an article, and Fig. 4 shows the article in its final relative position in the embracement element, the central region of the latter due to its accordion-like contruction being expanded so as to grip about marginal surfaces of the article with a press fit. In the exemplary embodiment shown in the drawing, the embracement element is moulded as an integral unit by aspirating a layer of fibre pulp from a pulp reservoir onto a suction mould shaped corresponding to the desired shape of the embracement element. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In the drawing, the embracement element is shown being used for protecting the marginal part of an article, said marginal part consisting of four marginal surfaces A, B, C and D. Two of these marginal surfaces, viz. A and B, meet at an angle forming a first edge E. The two other marginal surfaces C and D at each end of the edge E extend across the angular interspace formed by the marginal surfaces A and B, with which they form other edges F, G, H and J. The embracement element comprises four co-integrally moulded sidewall parts 10, 12, 14 and 16. Each of these parts is intended to lie in abutment against a corresponding one of the marginal surfaces of the article, A, B, C and D respectively, and the edges, E, F, G, H and J formed by these marginal surfaces. The sidewall parts 10 and 12, intended to lie in abutment against the marginal surfaces A and B of the article, comprise rib-like projections 18 protruding inwardly in the embracement element. These projections 18 are continuous with intermediate recesses 20, the open sides of which face inwardly in the embracement element. Together with the projections 18, the recesses 20 extend transversely of their mutually coincident edges 22. The lateral surfaces 24 of the recesses 20 converge slightly towards the bottom of the recesses. The other sidewall parts 14 and 16 of the embracement element are shaped so as to enable them to lie in abutment against the marginal surfaces C and D of the article. At their ends facing its other, the recesses 20 comprise ribs 28 extending tranversely to the recesses and connected to the latter 1 s lateral walls 24. The sidewall parts 14 and 16 of the embracement element, being intended to lie in abutment against the marginal surfaces C and D, cooperate with the adjacent part of one of the sidewall parts 10 and 12 to form a continuous ridge 29. The latter is intended to lie abutment against one of the edges F, G, H and J of the article. The sidewall parts 14 and 16, each intented to lie in abutment against a marginal surface C and D respectively, comprise and internal structure of abutment ribs 30 and 32. The latter extend in directions transversely to the rib-like projections 18 with associated recesses 20. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the abutment ribs 30 and 32 are of different height, recesses 34 situated outside of the ridge being placed between inwardly protruding abutment ribs 30 extending up to the outer margin of the embracement element. In the exemplary embodiment shown, abutment ribs 32 of reduced height are placed in these recesses 34. The abutment ribs 30 form an end surface 31 extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axes of the projections 18 and the recesses 20 and facing inwardly in the embracement element. On the outside of the embracement element, and as a consequence of the suction-moulding effort, the recesses 20 and 34 constitute outwardly protruding parts 20a and 34a protruding externally from the embracement element, said protruding parts serving to keep an envelope or wrapping (not shown) spaced from an about an article with an embracement element in position, cf. Figure 1. It is also possible to utilize the recesses 34 as such to serve as shock-absorbing means, in which case it will be necessary to do without abutment ribs 32 in these recesses 34. Likewise as a consequence of the suction-moulding method, the protruding parts 20a form outwardly open grooves 22b extending along the full length of the coincident edges 22, said grooves 22b appearing as a consequence of the internal ribs 28 having been produced by the suction-moulding process. Corresponding grooves 34b are formed in the outwardly facing apices of the protruding parts 34a corresponding to the internal ribs 32 formed in the latter. In the method according to the invention, the distance between the oppositely facing end surfaces 32, at least in the vicinity of the coincident edges 22, is chosen depending on the magnitude of the taper angle α necessary for the suction-moulding process in such a manner, that the article as shown in Figures 3 and 4 with its side walls C and D may be forced inwardly against the coincident edge 22 with a press fit between the lateral surfaces simultaneously with an accordion-like expansion of the accordion structure formed by the projections 18 and the recesses 20, cf. Figure 4, whereby the embracement element may be anchored so firmly to the article, that the envelope or wrapping may be placed in position without the embracement element falling off prematurely. During manufacture of the embracement element, it is possible to exploit the suction-moulding method to cause a greater or lesser amount of moulding material to be deposited, especially in the region of the coincident edges 22, so as to achieve a more or less pronounced accordion effect. LIST OF PARTS A marginal surface B marginal surface C marginal surface/side wall D marginal surface/side wall E first edge F other edge G other edge H other edge J other edge taper angle 10 sidewall part 12 sidewall part 14 sidewall part 16 sidewall part 18 rib-like projection 20 recess 20a outwardly protruding part 22 coincident edge 22b groove 24 lateral surface/side wall 28 ribs 29 ridge 30 abutment rib 31 end surface 32 abutment rib 33 outer margin 34 recess 34a outwardly protruding part 34b groove

Claims: CLAIMS 1. Integrally moulded embracement element for protecting the marginal region of an article, said region consisting of four marginal surfaces (A,B,C,D), of which two (A,B) meet at an angle forming af first edge (E) , and of which two others (C,D) at each end of said edge (E) extend across the angular interspace formed by the first- mentioned two marginal surfaces (A and B) and cooperate with the latter to form other edges (F,G,H,J) , characterized in a) that the embracement element comprises four co- -integrally moulded sidewall parts (10,12,14,16) each intended to lie in abutment against one of said marginal surfaces (A,B,C,D) and the edges (E,F,G,H,J) formed by said marginal surfaces, b) that the sidewall parts (10,12) intended to lie in abutment against the first-mentioned two marginal surfaces (A,B) comprise rib-like projections (18) protruding inwardly in the embracement element and, in contiguity with said projections (18) , corresponding intermediate recesses (20) opening inwardly in the embracement element, said recesses (20) together with said projections (18) extending transversely of their mutually coincident edges (22), and c) that the other sidewall parts (14,16) are shaped so as to be able to lie in abutment against said two other marginal surfaces (C,D) of the article. 2. Intergrally moulded embracement element according to Claim 1, characterized in that said recesses (20) at their ends facing each other comprise ribs (28) extending transversely to the recesses and connected to the latter's lateral walls (24) and projecting inwardly in the embracement element. 3. Integrally moulded embracement element according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the sidewall parts (14,16) intended to lie in abutment against said two other marginal surfaces (C,D) cooperate with the adjacent part of one of the first sidewall parts (10,12) to form a continuous ridge (29) intended to lie in abutment against one of said other edges (F,G,H,J) of the article. 4. Integrally moulded embracement element according to Claim 3, characterized in that each of the sidewall parts (14,16) intended to lie in abutment against one (C or D) of the two other marginal surfaces (C,D) comprises recesses (34) situated outside of the ridge (29) and forming external outwardly protruding parts (34a) . 5. Integrally moulded embracement element according to any one or any of the Claims 1-4, characterized in that each of the sidewall parts (14,16) intended to lie in abutment against one (C or D) of said two other marginal surfaces (C,D) of the article comprises an internal structure of abutment ribs (30,32) extending in directions tranversely of the rib-like projections and associated recesses (20) . 6. Integrally moulded embracement element according to Claim 4 and 5, characterized in that the abutment ribs (30 and 32) are of different height, the relatively lower abutment rib (32) being situated in recesses (34) situated laterally of upwardly protruding, relatively higher abutment ribs (30) . 7. Method of manufacturing an integrally moulded embracement alement according to any one or any of Claims 1-6, characterized in that the embracement element is moulded as an integral unit by aspirating a layer of fibre pulp from a pulp reservoir onto a suction mould corresponding to the desired shape of the embracement element, in which unit the distance between the end surfaces (21) of at least the sidewall parts (14,16) intended to lie in abutment against said two other marginal surfaces (C,D) at least in the vicinity of said coincident edges (22) is chosen depending on the magnitude of the requisite taper angle α for suction moulding of the end walls (31) in such a manner, that the article with its side wall (C,D) can be forced inwardly towards the coincident edge (22) with a press fit between said end surfaces (31) .

Inventors: JUUL NIELS, RASMUSSEN TORBEN, JUUL, NIELS, RASMUSSEN, TORBEN
Applicants: HARTMANN AS BRDR, JUUL NIELS, RASMUSSEN TORBEN, BROEDRENE HARTMANN A/S, JUUL, NIELS, RASMUSSEN, TORBEN
Application year: 1994
Main classification: B65D59
IPC codes: B65D81